Laundry pods are water-soluble detergent pouches. These are usually made up of polyvinyl film that dissolves in water quickly. These pods are also known as single-dose pods. Tide pods are manufactured by an American native brand called Tide. This is one of the most famous detergent brands worldwide. Along with liquid and powdered detergents, their laundry pods are also renowned.
Tide pods work effectively against stains; still, many people doubt their effectiveness, especially in cold water. So, a common question always arises do tide pods work in cold water? The straightforward answer to this question is yes.
You need to use tide pods correctly in cold water for their effectiveness. Although warm water is preferable for laundry pods, cold water is also suitable when you use it correctly. To check the expiration period of these single-dose detergents, click here.
How to use tide pods in cold water?
Tide pods are meant to dissolve in both cold and hot water. All you have to do is follow the proper procedure for using tide pods. Follow the given simple process to use tide pods in your laundry correctly.
1. Determine your load size
At first, you have to categorize your load according to its size. Your cloth load can be small, medium, or large. Moreover, it can be slightly soiled, medium soiled, and heavily soiled. Your load size will determine your pods’ quantity.
2. Choose tide pods quantity.
You need to figure out how many pods are required for a particular load. You can use one tide pod for small loads of medium or less soiled clothes. While for medium and large pods which are heavily soiled, you have to add two or more tide pods.
3. Add tide pods into the washing machine.
After selecting your pod’s quantity, add those tide pods into the washing machine or laundry. It’s better to clean your washing machine before adding pods thoroughly. Besides this, you have to add the tide pods to the bottom of your machine’s tub. Always add pods before adding your clothes into the machine.
4. Add clothes and set the correct cycle.
After adding tide pods, add the decided amount of cloth load into the machine. Then, choose the proper cycles depending upon the condition and quantity of clothes. Then turn on the device to start the cleaning process.
5. Keep tide pod container close after use.
After taking tide pods from the container, you need to close the lid of the pod container tightly. This is the crucial step to keep your remaining tide pods safe for future use.
Dishwasher pods also don’t dissolve in water due to certain reasons. Here you can read more.
Factors that decrease the effectiveness of tide pods in cold water
Tide pods are equally effective in cold and hot water, as the manufacturer claims. But certain factors reduce their affectivity in cold water, and these are:
Short cycles
Along with an ample quantity of water, tide pods also require enough time for cleaning. Tide pods need adequate time for better dissolution in water. So, if someone selects a too short cycle, then tide pods cannot get enough time for their proper functioning. It will lower the efficacy of the tide pod in cold water.
Overloading
Overloading your machine’s tub is another factor that slows down the efficiency of tide pods in cold water. Always add medium load with sufficient pod quantity for proper cleaning.
Wrong placement of pods
The most common mistake done by people while using laundry pods is the wrong placement of tide pods. You need to add these pods into the machine’s tub or drum. But if you add these pods to the detergent dispenser, it will not work.
Freezing water
Although tide pods are effective in cold water, it will become hard for the detergent to dissolve in water if the water is freezing. Pod molecules will take time to dissolve in water. Lower temperature will decrease their movement. So, very cold water can hinder pod molecules from releasing quickly into the water.
If not properly used, then tide pods may stain your clothes. To find out the solution, click here.
Final Words
Tide pods are made to work in cold water just like they work in warm water. You need to handle these pods correctly and in the right way to maintain their effectiveness in cold water.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do tide pods need warm water?
Generally, the laundry pods are designed to work in warm and cold water. A tide pod is equally effective in cold and warm water. So, it’s unnecessary to have warm water for tide pods to work.
2. What is a tide pod made of?
The external packaging of a tide pod comprises the polyvinyl film. This polyvinyl film is water-soluble and is breakable into vinyl acetate. Usually, a tide pod has a high detergent concentration, color protector, stain remover, and fabric softener.
3. What are the benefits of using tide pods?
Tide pods are famous kinds of detergents used worldwide. These pods have various benefits, including:
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Take less space
- Easy to use
- Pre-measured detergent quantity
- Effective in both cold and hot water
